Labrador retriever grooming schedule
A Labrador’s short coat looks low-maintenance, but the dense double coat, seasonal moult, and floppy ears make grooming more involved than it appears.
Last reviewed 2026-08-06
| Stage | Interval | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly (most of the year) | Once a week | Brush the double coat to lift loose undercoat and spread skin oils; check skin and ears. |
| Twice-yearly moult | Daily during the coat blow | Use a de-shedding/undercoat tool daily for a few weeks each spring and autumn. |
| After every swim | Same day | Dry the ears carefully; trapped water is the main driver of the breed’s ear infections. |
| Every 2–4 weeks | As needed | Trim nails; check ears and teeth. Bathe only when genuinely dirty to preserve coat water-resistance. |
Why Labrador Retrievers are different
The Labrador’s coat is short but double-layered and water-resistant, and it moults heavily twice a year — the seasonal "coat blow" — when daily brushing with a de-shedding tool genuinely reduces the loose undercoat that otherwise ends up through the house and can mat near the skin. Between moults a weekly brush is enough. The breed’s real grooming risk, though, is the ears: floppy, and often wet from swimming, they trap moisture and are prone to infection, so a Labrador’s grooming routine has to include regular ear checks and careful drying after every swim — a step a prick-eared or non-swimming breed doesn’t need. Frequent bathing is best avoided, as it strips the coat’s natural water resistance; spot-clean and let the coat do its job.
Key points for Labrador Retriever owners
- ◆Brush daily during the twice-yearly moult, weekly the rest of the year.
- ◆Dry the ears after every swim — floppy wet ears are the breed’s main grooming-linked health risk.
- ◆Don’t over-bathe; it strips the double coat’s natural water resistance.
Using the schedule safely
Whatever the breed, the treatment date that matters is the one you can prove. Record the exact date and the exact product each time — two products sold for the same purpose can carry different minimum ages, weight bands and repeat windows, and "sometime last month" is not precise enough for a vet to audit later. Photograph the label or keep the packaging so the active ingredient and batch can be recovered.
Read the label before giving anything late. A missed date is a gap to close carefully, never a reason to double a dose, and never a reason to combine products to "catch up". If another product may have been used in between, or the animal is young, pregnant, elderly, underweight or unwell, confirm the last given date with your veterinary practice before resuming.
Frequently asked questions
How do I manage Labrador shedding?
Brush weekly year-round and daily during the two big seasonal moults using an undercoat or de-shedding tool. This lifts the dead undercoat before it sheds through the house or mats against the skin. Over-bathing won’t help and can strip the coat.
Why does my Labrador keep getting ear infections?
Floppy ears plus frequent swimming trap moisture, which is a common cause. Dry the ears thoroughly after every swim and check them weekly; if you see redness, odour or head-shaking, have your vet examine them rather than treating blindly.
For general guidance only — this is not veterinary advice. Product labels and your own veterinarian’s recommendation always take priority. Confirm timing, dosing and product choice with your vet, especially for young, pregnant, elderly, unwell or medicated animals.